No Quit In Her Game- Delaney’s Comeback Story
“Delaney is one of the most determined athletes we’ve ever worked with. From the beginning, she made it clear that her goal was to return to college soccer—and she was absolutely committed to it. She worked hard during every physical therapy session, but what truly set her apart was the effort she put into her prescribed workouts on the days she wasn’t in the clinic. I wish more people understood how crucial consistency with home and gym workouts is for making meaningful progress during rehab.” -Katie Cordery, PT
Meet Delaney Grant, a former collegiate soccer player at South Dakota State University (SDSU) whose journey through injury and recovery is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of a strong support system. After tearing her ACL while playing at SDSU, she faced the physical and mental challenges that come with a major setback. With the guidance and encouragement of the team at Omaha Physical Therapy Institute (OPTI), she not only returned to the field for her final collegiate season but was also able to play semi-professional soccer! Delaney shares with us what she learned, how she stayed motivated, and the advice she has for others going through a similar experience.
What was your injury? How did you injure yourself?
I tore my ACL playing soccer at SDSU.
What was the most challenging aspect to your recovery?
I think the most challenging part was accepting the fact that the recovery process is not linear. There were some days I felt great and I was ready to work and other days I was tired and swollen. I just needed to trust the process and OPTI helped me understand the ups and downs are normal and all part of the journey.
What did you learn from your experience being injured?
From my experience I learned that you can do anything you put your mind to. Before I showed up at OPTI, I was a little behind. I knew I wanted to get back in time to play my last season but with that being 6 months post-surgery, I worried it was not possible. OPTI helped me realize it would be hard work, but if I did all my rehab and challenged myself while still taking care of my body, I could do it. I learned I was more capable of doing hard things than I thought.
What did you enjoy most about PT at OPTI?
I loved the way that they are personable. Each time I went in, regardless of who I spoke with from the OPTI team, they were always asking me questions about myself and truly listened and cared about what I had to say. They also were not afraid to test my limits and challenge me to work my hardest. I left there drenched in sweat a lot of time — but I know I needed that to get back in the short timeline I told them I wanted to be back in.
What advice would you give someone that is recovering from an injury?
I would say trust the process. There were a-lot of days I felt like I wasn’t progressing or that I worried my knee would never get back to how it was pre-surgery. That was absolutely not the case— I now feel just as, if not more, confident in my strength! But, it just takes time, rehab and hard work!
What have you accomplished since coming back from your injury?
Since my injury, I played in my last season of college soccer at SDSU, I have gotten back into lifting, and I joined the Omaha Queens professional indoor soccer team!
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